“I’m hanging up now,” I groan, pulling the phone away from my ear.
Just as I’m about to press the red button to disconnect the call and her cackling laugh, I hear, “The green sundress and sandals. Love you, bye.”
“Love you, bye,” I mumble back.
I spend the next few hours reading and trying not to freak out about dinner. My anxieties have gone haywire, and I’ve caught myself snapping the band on my wrist more than once to try and ground myself—it doesn’t work.
I always have a hair tie around my wrist, something my therapist suggested for when I’m feeling nervous or anxious. I ping it against my wrist to bring me back to the here and now whenever I feel myselfwandering. I don’t have panic attacks as much as I used to; adult life—so far—has been kind to me, it’s more there out of habit now.
I’ve paced the entire dorm room at least four times in the last ten minutes, and I now don’t have a nail on my thumb where I’ve bitten it to shreds.
Finally, the time to get ready rolls around, and I take Mia’s advice, dressing in a green summer dress and sandals. I apply a small amount of makeup and a slick of gloss to my lips before throwing my curls up into a messy bun, a few tendrils escaping to rest around my face and neck.
Walking to the long-standing mirror in my room, I look over my outfit. Do I look okay? I mean, what does one wear to have dinner with your father’s best friend who spanked you and then made you come while bent over his lap?
Nope! That’s it, I’m not going.
I’m just going to call James back, rescind my acceptance, and stay home wallowing instead. It’s not like he’d care anyway.
I start removing my silver hoops when a knock sounds at the door. Regretting my life choices and now knowing I have no choice but to go, I quickly grab my bag and rush to the door, finding Danny standing outside.
“Are you ready to go, Miss Carter?” he asks with a kind smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
“Oh, I was expecting James,” I say, sadness lacing my tone.
Danny gives me an apologetic look. “Mr. Smith said to send his apologies. He got caught up at work,” he explains.
Danny’s in his 50s and has worked for my dad and James for years. Why he didn’t stay with my dad is a mystery, but it’s nice to see a familiar face. He’s wearing his usual suit and tie, his beard neatly trimmed, and his dark hair pushed back under his cap.
I nod. “Okay, thank you,” I respond as I follow him down to the car.
The drive is a quiet one, the radio softly playing in the background as I gaze out of the window.
We reach our destination in a short amount of time, and as I get out of the car, I glance around.
“Erm, Danny? Where are we?” I ask, my brow furrowed as I continue peering around.
We’re in some kind of warehouse area. One that looks completely hazardous and not at all safe. There are dilapidated buildings on one side, and on the other is a building that looks new, and completely out of place with its surroundings.
“Don’t judge a book by its cover, Miss Carter.” Danny winks and gestures toward the newer building.
Placing one foot in front of the other, I begin the trek inside. I push open the door and gasp. It takes a moment for my brain to catch up with what my eyes are seeing. The inside is stunning. Danny was right, but why is this here of all places?
I take in the décor as I continue walking, the pale blue walls a contrast to the black and silver ornaments and furniture. The tables are laid out around the room, all of which are filled with customers, eating, drinking, and talking.
“Welcome to Diamond,” a voice says to my left.
I whirl around at the voice, feeling completely overwhelmed. “Oh, sorry,” I squeak, “I didn’t see you there.”
The blonde hostess, who looks around my age, smiles before asking, “First time?”
I nod, feeling more self-conscious than normal. I might have grown up with money and been used to a lavish lifestyle, but I still feelawkward in social settings, especially ones where I don’t know anyone and I’m on my own.
“Name?”
“Er, Raven Carter?” I reply, shuffling my feet and playing with the strap of my bag.
She looks down at the tablet in front of her, typing away. Finally, she says, “Ah, yes. Right this way, please. Mr. Smith is waiting for you.”
